AlxGayIn1−x−yN crystal substrate, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

An Al x Ga y In 1-x-y N crystal substrate of the present invention has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm 2 . The main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of the main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than the outer region. The inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10 2  cm −2  and at most 1×10 6  cm −2 . It is thereby possible to provide an Al x Ga y In 1-x-y N crystal substrate having a large size and a suitable dislocation density for serving as a substrate for a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device including the Al x Ga y In 1-x-y N crystal substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate (where x and y are numeric values satisfying 0≦x, 0≦y, and x+y≦1, the same applies to the following) having a dislocation density for preferably being used as a substrate for various semiconductor devices such as light-emitting elements, electronic elements, and semiconductor sensors, a semiconductor device including the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Group III nitride crystal substrates such as Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrates are significantly useful as substrates for various semiconductor devices such as light-emitting elements, electronic elements, and semiconductor sensors. Here, in order to improve properties of the various semiconductor devices, there is a demand for Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrates each having a low dislocation density and favorable crystallinity. Further, from a viewpoint of utilization efficiency of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrates, a main plane of each of the substrates is required to have an area of at least 10 cm⁻², preferably at least 20 cm⁻².

Therefore, to fabricate the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrates each having a large size and a low dislocation density, various methods have been proposed in X. Xu and five others, “Growth and characterization of low defect GaN by hydride vapor phase epitaxy” J. Crystal Growth, 246, (2002), p 223-229 (hereinafter referred to as Non-Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-102307 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1), and others.

Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that in growth of a GaN crystal, for example, a dislocation density of the GaN crystal is decreased as a thickness of the grown crystal is increased. However, in such a method of decreasing a dislocation density by increasing the thickness to be grown, even if a GaN crystal is grown to have a thickness of 3 mm, it is difficult to decrease the dislocation density to 1×10⁶ cm⁻² or lower, and hence only a small effect of reducing dislocations is obtained. Furthermore, in such a method of decreasing a dislocation density, variations in dislocation density in a substrate plane also cause variations in dislocation density of a GaN crystal, and hence a region having a high dislocation density may remain in the GaN crystal.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method of forming multiple pits each having a minute inclined plane, on a crystal growth plane, in growing a GaN crystal, and causing dislocations to occur intensively in these pits to thereby reduce dislocations in a region other than the pits. However, in such a method of decreasing a dislocation density, multiple pit regions each having a high dislocation density remain in a Group III nitride crystal.

Therefore, an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate having a large size and a low dislocation density and suitably used for semiconductor devices has not yet been heretofore obtained.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-102307 -   Non-Patent Document 1: X. Xu and five others, “Growth and     characterization of low defect GaN by hydride vapor phase     epitaxy”, J. Crystal Growth, 246, (2002), p 223-229

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

As a method of growing an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal for solving the above-described problems and obtaining an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate having a large size and a low dislocation density, we proposed a crystal growth method characterized in that in growth of an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal, at least some of dislocations remaining in the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal are propagated in a direction substantially parallel to a crystal growth plane of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal so as to be released to an outer periphery of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal (e.g. see Patent Application No. 2005-316956.). Accordingly, there was obtained an ability to grow an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal having a dislocation density of at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², or at most 1×10² cm⁻² depending on a condition, even in the case of a large-sized crystal having a main plane of at least 10 cm², without allowing regions having a high dislocation density to remain.

Conventionally, there has been a belief that properties of a semiconductor device including an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate are improved as a dislocation density of this substrate is decreased. However, when a property, for example, a withstand voltage (a voltage that causes a breakdown phenomenon of the semiconductor device, namely, a phenomenon of a drastic increase in current in a reverse direction; the same applies to the following) of a semiconductor device obtained by forming an at least one-layered semiconductor layer on the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate obtained as such and having a low dislocation density was measured, it was found that an excessively low dislocation density of the substrate also lowers a withstand voltage of the semiconductor device.

Therefore, inventors of the present invention fabricated semiconductor devices including Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrates, respectively, which were obtained by the above-described crystal growth method and each of which had a dislocation density that fell within a range of 45 cm⁻²−3.2×10⁶ cm⁻², and measured withstand voltages of the semiconductor devices. They thereby found a range of the dislocation density of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate for suitably being used for a semiconductor device, and has thus accomplished the present invention.

In other words, an object of the present invention is to propose an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate having a large size and a suitable dislocation density for serving as a substrate for a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device including the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present invention is an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1) which has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm². The main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of the main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than the outer region. The inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻².

In the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate according to the present invention, the total dislocation density can be set to at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻². Furthermore, a screw dislocation density in the total dislocation density can be set to at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻². Furthermore, the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate according to the present invention can have n-type conductivity and have specific resistance of at most 1 Ω·cm⁻². Furthermore, crystal growth of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate according to the present invention can be performed by an HVPE method.

Furthermore, the present invention is a semiconductor device including: an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1); and an at least one-layered semiconductor layer formed on the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate. The substrate has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm². The main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of the main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than the outer region. The inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻². Furthermore, in the semiconductor device according to the present invention, the total dislocation density can be set to at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻². Furthermore, a screw dislocation density in the total dislocation density can be set to at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻².

Furthermore, the present invention is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including the steps of: preparing an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1); and growing an at least one-layered semiconductor layer on the substrate. The substrate has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm². The main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of the main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than the outer region. The inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻². Furthermore, in the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device according to the present invention, the total dislocation density can be set to at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻². Furthermore, a screw dislocation density in the total dislocation density can be set to at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻².

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate having a large size and a suitable dislocation density for serving as a substrate for a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device including the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, according to the present invention. Here, (a) shows a growing process of an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal, while (b) shows a process of manufacturing the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an HVPE apparatus used for growing the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal in the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view showing a base substrate used for growing the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal in the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic side view of the base substrate shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the base substrate shown in FIG. 3A taken along IIIC-IIIC.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a semiconductor device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relation between total dislocation densities of substrates in the semiconductor devices and withstand voltages of the semiconductor devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS

10: base substrate, 10 m, 12 m: main plane, 10 p: apex, 10 s: (0001) plane, 11: Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal, 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 s: crystal growth plane, 11 d: dislocation propagation line, 11 r: crystal growth starting plane, 11 t: macro step plane, 11 v, 12 v: outer periphery, 12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e: Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate, 12 n: inner region, 12 w: outer region, 21: HCl gas, 22: gallium, 23: gallium chloride gas, 26: nitrogen source gas, 29: doping gas, 40: semiconductor device, 41: semiconductor layer, 42: Schottky electrode, 43: ohmic electrode, 101 m, 102 m, 103 m: partial plane, 200: HVPE apparatus, 201: reaction chamber, 202: substrate holder, 203: gallium chloride synthesis chamber, 204: gallium boat, 205: HCl gas conduit, 206: nitrogen source gas conduit, 207: exhaust pipe, 208, 209, 210: heater, R: radius, T: thickness, θ: inclined angle, φ: dislocation propagation angle.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 according to the present invention is a large-sized substrate that has a main plane 12 m having an area of at least 10 cm². Main plane 12 m has an outer region 12 w located within 5 mm from an outer periphery 12 v, and an inner region 12 n corresponding to a region other than the outer region. Inner region 12 n has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻².

Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 according to the present embodiment has main plane 12 m having an area of at least 10 cm², and hence can be applied to a wide variety of semiconductor devices and has high utilization efficiency.

Furthermore, Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 according to the present embodiment has inner region 12 n having a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², and hence properties of a semiconductor device obtained by growing an at least one-layered semiconductor layer on substrate 12 are improved. Here, a region where a total dislocation density is evaluated is set to inner region 12 corresponding to a region other than outer region 12 w because dislocations tend to remain in the outer region, and if a semiconductor device is fabricated in the inner region corresponding to a region other than the outer region having a high dislocation density, the effect thereof can be ignored. It is of course more preferable that the outer region also has fewer dislocations.

Examples of dislocations that can be exhibited in a substrate include a screw dislocation, an edge dislocation, and a mixed dislocation including the screw dislocation and the edge dislocation in a mixed manner. A dislocation that appears in a substrate can be observed as a pit generated by etching the substrate. Although an etchant is not particularly limited, a mixed melt of KOH and NaOH, having a liquid temperature of approximately 300-500° C. (hereinafter referred to as a KOH—NaOH mixed melt), or a mixed liquid of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, having a liquid temperature of approximately 200-300° C. (hereinafter referred to as a phosphoric acid-sulfuric acid mixed liquid), is preferably used. The dislocation density can be calculated by counting the number of pits per unit area.

When the substrate is etched, a dislocation site appears as a pit, and according to the size of the pit, the types of dislocation can be identified. A large pit (hereinafter referred to as an L pit) is derived from a screw dislocation, while a small pit (hereinafter referred to as an S pit) is derived from an edge dislocation. An intermediate-sized pit (hereinafter referred to as an I pit) is derived from a mixed dislocation. An absolute value of the size of each pit varies depending on a condition for etching a substrate. However, a ratio of relative sizes of the L pit, the I pit, and the S pit is approximately constant without depending on an etching condition. A ratio of (an L pit diameter): (an I pit diameter): (an S pit diameter) is approximately 10:2:1.

In the present application, the dislocation refers to any of the above-described screw dislocation, edge dislocation, and mixed dislocation, and total dislocations refer to all the dislocations including the above-described screw dislocation, edge dislocation, and mixed dislocation. Therefore, the total dislocation density is the number of total dislocations per unit area, namely, a sum of the numbers of screw dislocations, edge dislocations, and mixed dislocations per unit area, and is calculated by counting the total numbers of L pits, I pits, and S pits per unit area. In other words, the total dislocation density is a sum of a screw dislocation density, an edge dislocation density, and a mixed dislocation density. The screw pit density is the number of screw dislocations per unit area, and is calculated by counting the number of L pits per unit area.

Conventionally, there has been a belief that properties of a semiconductor device including a substrate are improved as a dislocation density of the substrate is decreased. However, if a total dislocation density of the substrate becomes an ultralow dislocation density of less than 1×10² cm⁻², properties of the semiconductor device are degraded instead. Although the reason thereof is not elucidated clearly at present, an inference is made as follows. Specifically, a dislocation has a function of an opening (also referred to as a getter; the same applies to the following) for drawing in precipitates generated owing to impurities or variations in composition of the substrate, and if the number of such dislocations is excessively decreased, generation of the above-described precipitates cannot be suppressed, causing degradation in crystallinity of the substrate.

If the total dislocation density of the substrate exceeds 1×10⁶ cm⁻², dislocations of the crystal are increased and crystallinity is lowered, resulting in degradation of properties of the semiconductor device. Therefore, a total dislocation density of the substrate that improves properties of the semiconductor device is at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻². From the above-described viewpoint, the total dislocation density of the substrate is preferably at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻².

As to the screw dislocation density in the total dislocation density of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate in the present embodiment, the screw dislocation density of the inner region is preferably at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻² from a viewpoint of improving properties of a semiconductor device including the substrate. In other words, as long as the total dislocation density is at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², a lower screw dislocation density is more preferable, and a screw dislocation density of 0 cm⁻² may also be possible.

The degradation in properties of the semiconductor device caused by decreasing the total dislocation density of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate in the present embodiment to less than 1×10² cm⁻², becomes significant as the substrate has higher conductivity. In contrast, if the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate has n-type conductivity and has specific resistance of at most 1 Ω·cm, an effect of improving properties of the semiconductor device by setting the total dislocation density of the substrate to at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻² is remarkably exhibited.

Crystal growth of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate in the present embodiment is preferably performed by an HVPE method, from a viewpoint of easily obtaining a thick crystal and increasing a yield of the substrate.

A large-sized Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate which has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm² and has an inner region having a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², as shown in the present embodiment, can be fabricated as follows.

Initially, with reference to FIG. 1( a), an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal is grown, for example, as described below. There are included the steps of preparing, as a base substrate 10, an inclined substrate which has a main plane 10 m having an inclined angle θ of at least 0.5° and at most 10° with respect to crystal growth planes 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 s of an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11, and growing Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 on main plane 10 m of the inclined substrate. Accordingly, when Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 is grown, at least some of dislocations inherited from main plane 10 m of base substrate 10 and remaining in Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 are propagated in a direction substantially parallel to crystal growth planes 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 s of Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 (FIG. 1 shows a path along which the dislocations are propagated, as a dislocation propagation line 11 d.) and released to an outer periphery 11 v of Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11, so that a total dislocation density is adjusted to at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻². Note that in FIG. 1( a), crystal growth planes 11 a, 11 b and 11 c represent crystal growth planes during crystal growth, and crystal growth plane 11 s represents a crystal growth plane after crystal growth.

In other words, with reference to FIG. 1( a), the present invention is as follows. Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 is grown on the inclined substrate which has main plane 10 m having inclined angle θ of at least 0.5° and at most 10° with respect to crystal growth planes 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 s of Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11. During the growth, a macro step plane 11 t substantially perpendicular to crystal growth planes 11 a and 11 b is formed on crystal growth planes 11 a and 11 b, a crystal of which is being grown. As the crystal is grown, macro step plane 11 t moves to outer periphery 11 v of the crystal and disappears. It was found that the dislocations in the crystal propagate in a direction substantially parallel to crystal growth planes 11 a and 11 b and substantially perpendicular to macro step plane 11 t, and are released to an outside of the crystal as macro step plane lit moves to outer periphery 11 v of the crystal. This phenomenon is applied to a method of growing Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11, so that it is possible to grow Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 having a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻² without allowing a region having a high total dislocation density to remain in the crystal.

Here, if inclined angle θ is less than 0.5°, the macro step plane is less likely to be formed, and propagation of the dislocations in the direction substantially perpendicular to the macro step plane becomes difficult. If inclined angle θ exceeds 10°, a stable crystal growth plane is less likely to be formed, and propagation of the dislocations in the direction substantially parallel to the crystal growth plane becomes difficult. In view of the foregoing, inclined angle θ is preferably larger than 2° and smaller than 8°.

During crystal growth, the crystal growth plane is parallel-translated in the direction of its normal as the crystal grows, as shown by crystal growth plane 11 a, crystal growth plane 11 b, crystal growth plane 11 c, and crystal growth plane 11 s, while causing macro step plane 11 t to gradually disappear, as described above. Therefore, a direction of dislocation propagation line 11 d (which refers to a line showing a path along which dislocations are propagated; the same applies to the following) has a certain dislocation propagation angle φ with respect to a crystal growth plane arbitrarily specified. Such dislocation propagation angle φ is determined by a dislocation propagation rate and a crystal growth rate. The dislocation propagation angle becomes smaller as the dislocation propagation rate becomes high with respect to the crystal growth rate. In such a method of growing Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11, the dislocation propagation rate is approximately equal to a moving rate of the macro step plane, and the moving rate of such a step plane becomes at least 5 times, and furthermore, at least 10 times as high as the crystal growth rate (i.e. the moving rate of the crystal growth plane) depending on a crystal growth condition. Consequently, the above-described dislocation propagation angle is at most 11°, and furthermore, at most 5.5°.

Accordingly, in the present application, “the direction substantially parallel to the crystal growth plane” means “a direction along an inclined angle falling within a range of 0°-11° with respect to the crystal growth plane”, and “the direction substantially perpendicular to the macro step plane” means “a direction along an inclined angle falling within a range of 79°-90° with respect to the macro step plane”.

As to the above-described inclined substrate (base substrate 10), it is preferable to use an Al_(p)Ga_(q)In_(1-p-q)N substrate (0≦p, 0≦q, p+q≦1; the same applies to the following) from a viewpoint of lattice continuity between the inclined substrate and Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 to be grown. Here, x and p may be the same numeric value or different numeric values, and y and q may be the same numeric value or different numeric values. However, a combination that achieves lattice continuity is of course preferable. Here, if x and p are the same numeric value and y and q are the same numeric value, lattice continuity is of course obtained. However, even a combination in which at least one of a pair of x and p and a pair of y and q is different numeric values also achieves lattice continuity, and hence such a combination may be used. Furthermore, from a viewpoint of obtaining a crystal having favorable crystallinity at a high growth rate, it is preferable to grow a (0001) plane as the crystal growth plane of Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 to be grown.

With reference to FIG. 1( b), Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11 obtained as described above is cut into flat planes, and their main planes are polished, so that at least one Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 is formed.

Second Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a semiconductor device 40 according to the present invention is semiconductor device 40 including Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 and an at least one-layered semiconductor layer 41 formed thereon. Substrate 12 has main plane 12 m having an area of at least 10 cm². Main plane 12 m has outer region 12 w located within 5 mm from its outer periphery and inner region 12 n corresponding to a region other than the outer region. Inner region 12 n has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻². The semiconductor device in the present embodiment includes the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate in the first embodiment, and hence has high properties.

Although such a semiconductor device is not particularly limited, examples thereof include light-emitting elements such as a light-emitting diode and a laser diode, electronic elements such as a rectifier, a bipolar transistor, a field-effect transistor, and an HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor), semiconductor sensors such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a radiation sensor, and a visible-ultraviolet light detector, an SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) device, a vibrator, a resonator, an oscillator, an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) part, a voltage actuator, and others.

With reference to FIG. 4, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in the present embodiment includes the steps of preparing Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12, and growing at least one-layered semiconductor layer 41 on substrate 12. Substrate 12 has main plane 12 m having an area of at least 10 cm². Main plane 12 m has outer region 12 w located within 5 mm from its outer periphery, and inner region 12 n corresponding to a region other than the outer region. Inner region 12 n has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻². According to such a manufacturing method, it is possible to obtain a semiconductor device having high properties by growing at least one-layered semiconductor layer 41 on Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 in the first embodiment. Here, the step of preparing the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate may include the steps shown in the first embodiment, namely, as shown in FIG. 1( a), may include the steps of preparing a prescribed inclined substrate as base substrate 10, and growing Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 11 on main plane 10 m of this inclined substrate, and as shown in FIG. 1( b), may include the steps of cutting Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 11 into flat planes, and polishing their main planes and forming Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrates 12.

First Example

A GaN crystal substrate identified as an Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate was fabricated by an HVPE method. With reference to FIG. 2, in an HVPE apparatus 200 used in the present example, a substrate holder 202 for holding base substrate 10 is arranged in a reaction chamber 201, and there are installed a gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203 for synthesizing a gallium chloride gas 23 to be introduced into reaction chamber 201, an HCl gas conduit 205 for introducing an HCl gas 21 into gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203, a nitrogen source gas conduit 206 for introducing a nitrogen source gas 26 and if necessary, a doping gas 29, into reaction chamber 201, and an exhaust pipe 207 for exhausting reacted gases. Furthermore, a gallium boat 204 accommodating gallium (Ga) 22 is arranged in gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203. Furthermore, around gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203 and reaction chamber 201, there are installed heaters 208, 209 and 210 for heating HCl gas 21, nitrogen source gas 26, doping gas 29, gallium boat 204, base substrate 10, and others.

In HVPE apparatus 200 described above, gallium chloride gas 23 to be introduced into reaction chamber 201 is synthesized as follows. Specifically, gallium boat 204 arranged in gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203 is heated to 800° C. by heater 209, HCl gas 21 is introduced into gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203 through HCl gas conduit 205, and HCl gas 21 is made to react with gallium (Ga) 22 in gallium boat 204, to thereby synthesize a GaCl gas (gallium chloride gas 23). Here, HCl gas 21 is introduced into gallium chloride synthesis chamber 203, along with a carrier gas such as an H₂ gas.

The above-described GaCl gas (gallium chloride gas 23), an NH₃ gas (nitrogen source gas 26), and an SiH₄ gas (doping gas 29) were introduced into reaction chamber 201 along with an H₂ gas serving as a carrier gas. On the GaN substrate (base substrate 10) arranged on substrate holder 202 in reaction chamber 201 and heated to a substrate temperature of 1200° C., the GaCl gas (gallium chloride gas 23) was made to react with an NH₃ gas (nitrogen source gas 26) to grow a GaN crystal for 100 hours. As shown in FIG. 1( a), there is obtained a GaN crystal (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11) doped with Si and having a thickness T of 5 mm from an apex 10 p of base substrate 10.

When the GaN crystal was grown, in order to improve uniformity of an amount of each of the GaCl gas (gallium chloride gas 23) and the NH₃ gas (nitrogen source gas 26) supplied to the main plane of the GaN substrate, the GaN substrate (base substrate 10) was arranged on substrate holder 202 such that it was inclined 10° with respect to a horizontal plane, and rotated at a revolution speed of 60 revolutions/min. Furthermore, the partial pressure of the GaCl gas (gallium chloride gas 23) was set to 5.065 kPa (0.05 atm), the partial pressure of the NH₃ gas (nitrogen source gas 26) was set to 10.13 kPa (0.1 atm), and the partial pressure of the SiH₄ gas (doping gas 29) was set to 5.065 Pa (0.00005 atm).

Here, as base substrate 10, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, there were used five GaN substrates having different inclined heights H. Each of the five GaN substrates had main plane 10 m where a crystal was to be grown, processed into a triangular pyramid shape having apex 11 p and three partial planes 101 m, 102 m and 103 m, and had a diameter of 5.08 cm (i.e. a radius of 2.54 cm). The GaN substrate having inclined height H of 1 mm is referred to as a base substrate I, the GaN substrate having an inclined height of 3 mm is referred to as a base substrate II, the GaN substrate having an inclined height of 5 mm is referred to as a base substrate III, the GaN substrate having an inclined height of 10 mm is referred to as a base substrate IV. The total dislocation density of these GaN substrates, which was calculated based on the number of pits formed by etching with a KOH—NaOH mixed melt at a liquid temperature of 350° C., was 5×10⁶ cm⁻². Note that arrows in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a <10-10> direction, a <0001> direction, and the <0001> direction, respectively. In base substrate 10, as is clear from FIGS. 3B and 3C, inclined angle θ, which is formed by each of partial planes 101 m, 102 m and 103 m and the (0001) plane, inclined height H, and a radius R establish a relation of tan θ=H/R.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1( b), the GaN crystal (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal 11) grown on the GaN substrate (base substrate 10) was sliced into pieces on planes parallel to the (0001) plane, and main planes of the pieces were polished, to thereby obtain five GaN crystal substrates (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12) each having a thickness of 0.5 mm. The five GaN crystal substrates obtained from the GaN crystal grown on base substrate I are referred to as a substrate I-a (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 a), a substrate I-b (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 b), a substrate I-c (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 c), a substrate I-d (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 d), and a substrate I-e (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12 e), in the order closer to base substrate I. Similarly, the five GaN crystal substrates obtained from the GaN crystal grown on base substrate II are referred to as a substrate II-a, a substrate II-b, a substrate II-c, a substrate II-d, and a substrate II-e, in the order closer to base substrate II. The five GaN crystal substrates obtained from the GaN crystal grown on base substrate III are referred to as a substrate III-a, a substrate III-b, a substrate III-c, a substrate III-d, and a substrate III-e, in the order closer to base substrate III. The five GaN crystal substrates obtained from the GaN crystal grown on base substrate IV are referred to as a substrate IV-a, a substrate IV-b, a substrate IV-c, a substrate IV-d, and a substrate IV-e, in the order closer to base substrate IV. Specific resistance of these GaN crystal substrates was 0.03-0.08 Ω·cm by an eddy-current conductivity measurement.

Each of the GaN crystal substrates obtained as described above was etched with a KOH—NaOH mixed melt at a liquid temperature of 350° C., to form pits derived from various dislocations. The total number of pits per unit area was counted to thereby calculate the total dislocation density. In calculation of the total dislocation density, an area of the calculation region was adjusted such that 100-500 pits were observed in the calculation region, depending on the total dislocation density. Note that the maximum area of the calculation region was set to 1 cm². Furthermore, in calculation of the total dislocation density, a plurality of calculation regions were provided in the inner region of each of the substrates, and a mean value of total dislocation densities calculated from the plurality of calculation regions is shown in Table 1. The screw dislocation density was calculated in a manner similar to that of the calculation of the total dislocation density, except for that the screw dislocation density was calculated by counting the number of L pits per unit area. There existed a distribution of the total dislocation densities and a distribution of the screw dislocation densities in the inner region of the main plane. However, even in a part having the highest density, its density was at most two times as high as a mean value of each of the total dislocation densities and the screw dislocation densities.

TABLE 1 Dislocation Density of Substrate Properties of Total Dislocation Screw Dislocation Semiconductor Device Substrate Density (cm⁻²) Density (cm⁻²) Withstand Voltage (V) I-a 3200000 110000 360 I-b 1100000 56000 400 I-c 370000 28000 470 I-d 98000 28000 560 I-e 81000 12000 680 II-a 1300000 6200 450 II-b 350000 9800 680 II-c 3500 7300 840 II-d 2500 1200 880 II-e 2200 500 900 III-a 170000 200 750 III-b 2500 2700 860 III-c 1200 750 840 III-d 600 350 880 III-e 200 100 810 IV-a 41000 0 820 IV-b 500 120 800 IV-c 110 0 670 IV-d 52 0 250 IV-e 45 0 200

As is clear from Table 1, the total dislocation density and the screw dislocation density of a substrate tend to decrease as base substrate 10 used for crystal growth has larger inclined height H, and as the substrate is located farther from base substrate 10. In other words, it is possible to adjust the total dislocation density and the screw dislocation density in a crystal, by inclined height H of base substrate 10 and/or a thickness of the Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal to be grown.

Second Example

Each of the substrates etched in the first example was polished again, to thereby form GaN crystal substrates each having a diameter of 5.08 cm×a thickness of 400 μm (with specific resistance of 0.03-0.08 Ω·cm). With reference to FIG. 4, an n-type GaN layer (semiconductor layer 41) having a thickness of 15 μm and a carrier density of 1×10¹⁶ cm⁻³ was then grown as a semiconductor layer by an MOCVD method on each of the substrates (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12). Next, Schottky electrodes 42 each having a diameter of 450 μm and configured with an Au layer were formed on the n-type GaN layer (semiconductor layer 41) by a vacuum deposition method, at a pitch of 2 mm, and an ohmic electrode 43 configured with a layered body of a Ti layer and an Al layer was formed on the entire plane of each of the substrates (Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate 12) where the n-type GaN layer was not formed, and thus semiconductor devices 40 were obtained.

A voltage in an inverse direction was applied between Schottky electrodes 42 and ohmic electrode 43 of each semiconductor device 40 obtained, and a withstand voltage (a voltage that causes a phenomenon of a drastic increase in current in a reverse direction) of each semiconductor device 40 was measured. As to each of the semiconductor devices, the withstand voltage was measured at 19 points, and the mean value thereof was set as a withstand voltage of the semiconductor device. The results are compiled in Table 1. Furthermore, a relation between the total dislocation densities of the substrates in the semiconductor devices and withstand voltages of the semiconductor devices shown in Table 1 are compiled in FIG. 5.

As is clear from Table 1 and FIG. 5, in the range of the total dislocation densities of the substrates in the semiconductor devices of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², each of the semiconductor devices exhibited a high withstand voltage of at least 400 V. In other words, the withstand voltage of the semiconductor devices drastically decreased when the total dislocation densities of the substrates became lower than 1×10² cm⁻², or became higher than 1×10⁶ cm⁻². Furthermore, in the range of the total dislocation density of the substrates in the semiconductor devices of at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻², the withstand voltages of the semiconductor devices were stable at an extremely high level of 800-900 V. In other words, in the range of the total dislocation density of the substrates of at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻², it was possible to obtain a semiconductor device having a uniform and high withstand voltage regardless of a value of the total dislocation density.

In FIG. 5, even in the range of the total dislocation density of the substrates in the semiconductor devices of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², the semiconductor devices fabricated with the use of substrate I-c, substrate I-d, and substrate I-e, respectively, as substrates, exhibited low withstand voltages. The screw dislocation density of the substrates in such semiconductor devices exceeded 1×10⁴ cm⁻². In other words, the screw dislocation density of a substrate is preferably at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻² from a viewpoint of increasing a withstand voltage of the semiconductor device.

It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative and not limitative in all aspects. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description above but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)N crystal substrate according to the present invention can preferably be used as a substrate for various devices such as light-emitting elements, electronic element, and semiconductor sensors. 

1. A GaN crystal substrate which has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm², wherein said main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of said main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than said outer region, said inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², and a screw dislocation density in said total dislocation density is at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻².
 2. The GaN crystal substrate according to claim 1, wherein said total dislocation density is at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻².
 3. The GaN crystal substrate according to claim 1, wherein said substrate has n-type conductivity and has specific resistance of at most 1 Ω·cm.
 4. The GaN crystal substrate according to claim 1, wherein crystal growth of said substrate is performed by an HVPE method.
 5. A semiconductor device comprising: an GaN crystal substrate; and an at least one-layered semiconductor layer formed on said GaN crystal substrate, wherein said substrate has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm², said main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of said main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than said outer region, said inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², and a screw dislocation density in said total dislocation density is at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻².
 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein said total dislocation density is at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻².
 7. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: preparing a GaN crystal substrate; and growing an at least one-layered semiconductor layer on said substrate, wherein said substrate has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm², said main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of said main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than said outer region, said inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁶ cm⁻², and a screw dislocation density in said total dislocation density is at most 1×10⁴ cm⁻².
 8. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein said total dislocation density is at least 2×10² cm⁻² and at most 1×10⁵ cm⁻². 